Nerve Blocks
Nerve Blocks
What are Nerve Blocks?
Blocks are injections of medication near nerves. The medications
that are injected include local anesthetics, steroids, and opioids. In some
cases of severe pain it is even necessary to destroy a nerve with injections
of phenol, pure ethanol, or by using needles that freeze or heat the nerves.
Injections into joints are also referred to as blocks. Although not technically
correct, "block" is commonly used to refer to any type of
injection procedure done to influence nerves
Why do we do blocks?
- Blocks with local anesthetic can be used to control acute pain.
- Pain and injury often makes nerves more sensitive, so that they signal pain with less provocation. An example of this is when you have a sunburn and you lightly brush against your skin causing pain. Blocks can provide periods of dramatic pain relief, which promotes the desensitization of sensory pathways.
- Steroids can help reduce nerve and joint inflammation and can reduce the abnormal triggering of signals from injured nerves.
- Blocks often provide diagnostic information, helping to determine the source of the pain.